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Winter closure takes effect on Aspen-area trails, open spaces

Scott Condon
The Aspen Times
The pastures and agricultural lands of the Glassier Open Space in the Emma area are visible Saturday from a road leading to the Crown. Glassier is closed for the winter.
Pitkin County Open Space and Trails |

The onset of winter has brought the closure of a downvalley portion of the Rio Grande Trail and some open spaces administered by Pitkin County.

The Rio Grande Trail between Rock Bottom Ranch and Catherine Bridge was closed at 5 p.m. Monday for the benefit of wildlife. Deer and elk cross the corridor when traveling between winter ranges on the Crown and Roaring Fork River. Other wildlife, ranging from cougars to numerous species of birds, also use the corridor.

The closure is in effect until May 1 along the 21/2 mile stretch. Large metal gates are closed on the trail at Rock Bottom Ranch and at Catherine Bridge. Motion-detecting cameras are used to deter trespassers.



Pitkin County Open Space and Trails announced that winter closures start today on several of its properties. Sky Mountain Park and its popular trails are closed in the upper Roaring Fork Valley. The closure includes the Viewline, Deadline, Skyline Ridge, Ditchline, Airline, Cozyline and Cozy Pony trails. Rim Trail North also closes today. The Highline and Lowline trails remain open. The closed trails will reopen May 16.

Brush Creek Trail between Highway 82 and Snowmass Village is closed until March 31.




In the midvalley, the Glassier Open Space along Hooks Spur Road is closed. In the Crystal River Valley, the Perham Creek Trail is closed, as is the Thompson Creek Open Space.

The open space department also announced that its popular Open Space and Trails calendar for 2016 is “hot off the press.” It features scenic photographs of Open Space and Trails properties.

The free calendar is available in local government office buildings in the upper Roaring Fork Valley.

scondon@aspentimes.com